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Technol in Society sociotech align bioprint paper EB AF PL Jul021 ACCEPTED VER.pdf (744.3 kB)

Sociotechnical alignment in biomedicine: the 3D bioprinting market beyond technology convergence

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journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-10, 00:19 authored by Edison Bicudo, Alex Faulkner, Phoebe LiPhoebe Li
The nature of hybrid technologies has been frequently interpreted with the concept of technology convergence. However, this concept tends to highlight only technical aspects of technology and market evolution. In order to provide a more comprehensive picture, the concept of sociotechnical alignment is explored here. The field of 3D bioprinting (the production of biological structures with automated, computer-controlled bioprinters) is focused on here. In the emergent global bioprinting market, companies have relied on three core technologies (tissue engineering, additive manufacturing, and software development) and continue to receive inputs from other technologies. On the biological side, bioprinting has benefited from new approaches such as the use of induced pluripotent stem cells. On the engineering side, it has been possible to use relatively cheap technologies such as open-source processing Arduino boards. On the software side, the proliferation of open source packages has strengthened the possibilities of bioprinting. The combination between these and other technology fringes involves a process of sociotechnical alignment whereby technical, scientific, and political issues are always at play. As a result, different companies have been able to realize different market strategies, having varied geographical reach. However, the first movements towards extensive globalization can also be noticed. In this way, the current diversity of the bioprinting market may be jeopardized in the years to come.

Funding

Biomodifying technologies: Governing converging research in the life sciences; G2501; LEVERHULME TRUST; RPG-2017-330

Biomodifying technologies and experimental space: organisational and regulatory implications for the translation and valuation of health research; G2291; ESRC-ECONOMIC & SOCIAL RESEARCH COUNCIL; ES/P002943/1

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Accepted version

Journal

Technology in Society

ISSN

0160-791X

Publisher

Elsevier

Volume

66

Page range

1-12

Article number

a101668

Department affiliated with

  • International Relations Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2021-07-12

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2021-07-12

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